Riding off into the sunset

John Marmaduke Dawson who wrote the Riders of the Purple Sage's ode to marijuana - Panama Red died last week in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Dawson, 64, formed the group along with Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead in 1969. The group was often used as a refuge for members of the Dead who would appear on albums and tour with the Riders over the years.

Ironically, Panama Red was the group's sole gold record in 1973.